California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Blue Canyon

Blue CanyonPhoto: zoxcleb, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
3.3 mi
round trip
1,177 ft
climb
10,042 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Blue Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Blue Canyon, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Stanislaus National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Blue Canyon is a 3.3-mile out-and-back hike in the Summit Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest in California. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail runs on a natural surface. It rises about 1,200 feet from a low point of 8,836 feet to a high of 10,042 feet, making it a moderate climb. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation show July highs around 71°F with lows near 38°F, while winter highs there sit in the low 40s and lows drop below 13°F. The trail is open to horses, and bikes are not allowed. Climbers will find Chipmunk Flat about 0.6 miles away and Crunchy Boulder at 1.6 miles. Stanislaus Peak and Leavitt Lake both lie within about 4 miles.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Chipmunk Flat Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Last Chance Saloon

    Bar

    On your way back · 4 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Blue Canyon

    Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      41° / 13°

    2. Feb

      38° / 12°

    3. Mar

      42° / 15°

    4. Apr

      45° / 22°

    5. May

      54° / 27°

    6. Jun

      65° / 33°

    7. Jul

      71° / 38°

    8. Aug

      70° / 36°

    9. Sep

      65° / 32°

    10. Oct

      57° / 26°

    11. Nov

      47° / 20°

    12. Dec

      40° / 12°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Tuolumne Meadows Rs, CA, 35.1 mi away at 8,694 ft. The station sits about 1,300 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Stanislaus PeakPhoto: Moo.The.Cow, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Stanislaus Peak

~3 min drive

6.61-mile out-and-back trail to Stanislaus Peak in California with 1,788 ft of elevation gain.

Relief Reservoir TrailPhoto: farktronix, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Relief Reservoir Trail

~7 min drive

0.7-mile out-and-back hike to Relief Reservoir in California with 301 ft gain.

Kennedy Lake TrailPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Kennedy Lake Trail

~10 min drive

2.42-mile out-and-back hike to Kennedy Lake in California with 1,125 ft elevation gain

HIKE

Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000

~11 min drive

46.78-mile out-and-back on the Pacific Crest Trail in California with 8,414 ft gain/loss

Leavitt LakePhoto: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Leavitt Lake

~7 min drive

2.60-mile out-and-back trail at Leavitt Lake in California gains 1,060 feet.

Columns of the Giants TrailPhoto: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Columns of the Giants Trail

~13 min drive

0.62-mile out-and-back trail in California with 106 ft of elevation gain.

Little Wolf TrailPhoto: Capt' Gorgeous, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Little Wolf Trail

~10 min drive

3.58-mile out-and-back hike in California with 1,208 ft gain and loss.

HIKE

Huckleberry Trail

~12 min drive

30.02-mile out-and-back trail in California with 5,422 ft gain and 9,395 ft max elevation.

Kennedy LakePhoto: farktronix, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Kennedy Lake

~7 min drive

9.06-mile out-and-back trail to Kennedy Lake in California with 1,157 ft elevation gain.

Poore Lake ConnectorPhoto: A Silly Person from Sonora, CA, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Poore Lake Connector

~14 min drive

0.96-mile out-and-back trail with 171 ft gain in California